1Do not worry about tomorrow’s trouble, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2Lest tomorrow he is gone, and is found grieving over a world that is not his.
3I have weighed everything on the pan of a scale, and I have found nothing lighter than bran.
4And lighter than bran is a son-in-law living in his father-in-law’s house.
5And lighter than a son-in-law is a guest who brings another guest.
6And lighter than that guest is one who answers before he hears.
7Remember the commandments, and do not be angry with your neighbor; remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook an offense.
8Refrain from strife, and you will lessen your sins, for a hot-tempered man will kindle a fight.
9A sinful man will trouble friends and cast slander among those who are at peace.
10As the fuel for a fire, so will it burn; a man’s anger will be according to his strength. According to his wealth he will raise his wrath, and according to the stubbornness of the quarrel it will blaze.
11A hasty quarrel kindles a fire, and a hasty fight sheds blood.
12If there is an ember before him, he blows on it and it burns.
13He spits on it and it is extinguished; and both are from your mouth.
14A third tongue has shaken many and scattered them from nation to nation; it has overthrown strong cities and demolished the houses of the great.
15A third tongue has driven out virtuous women and deprived them of the fruit of their labors.
16He who pays attention to it will not find rest, nor will he dwell in tranquility.
17The stroke of a whip makes welts, but the stroke of a tongue breaks bones.
18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not as many as those who have fallen because of the tongue.
19Blessed is he who is sheltered from it, who has not passed through its wrath, who has not drawn its yoke, and has not been bound in its chains.
20For its yoke is a yoke of iron, and its chains are chains of bronze.
21The death it brings is an evil death, and Hades is preferable to it.
22It will not get a hold on the godly, and they will not be burned in its flame.
23Those who forsake the Lord will fall into it; it will burn among them and not be quenched. It will be sent out against them like a lion, and like a leopard it will maim them.
24Look, fence your property with thorns; bind up your silver and your gold.
25And for your words make a balance and scales, and for your mouth make a door and a bolt.
26Take care that you do not slip with your tongue, lest you fall before one who lies in wait.
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